Dress-suit case.



vN0. 756,925, PATENTED APR. 12, 1904.

. J. D. WOOD.

DRESS SUIT CASE.

} AIIiLIGATION FILED SEPT. a, 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHBET 1.

N0 MODEL.

6 WPM No. 756,925. PATENTBD APR. 12, 1904.

J. D. WOOD.

DRESS SUIT GA$E.

' APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 3, 1903.

N0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2- mu was): uzm c0. PHQT-ILIINOH WASHINGYON. a. c.

Patented April 12, 1904..

PAT NT FFICE.

JOHN D. WOOD, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

DRESS-SUIT C ASE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 756,925, dated April 12, 1904.

Application filed September 3, 1903. Serial No- 171,'744. (N0 model.)

To on whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOHN D. W001), a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Louis, State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dress-Suit Cases, of which the following is a specification containing afull, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

My invention relates to improvements in dress-suit cases; and it consists of the novel construction, combination, and arrangement .of parts hereinafter shown, described, and

claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved dress-suit case with one section or compartment open. Fig. 2 is a tranverse section of same. Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view of the middle section or lid, taken in the region of the handle. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of a portion of the middle section or lid.

My invention has for its object the production of a suit-case having two body sections or compartments and a single or unitary lidsection, by means of which the suit-case may be converted into two separate and distinct locked compartments or two separate suitcases in one structure.

-My invention has further for its objecta rigid and light construction for the middle or lid section.

Referring to the drawings, 1 1 indicate the body sections or compartments, which are of the usual construction and depth, the dimensions of each being the same and the mouth of the open end of the said sections being pro- Vided with inwardly-projecting edges 2.

3 indicates the middle or lid section, which is provided centrallywithadiaphragm or wall 4. The said middle or lid section is constructed as follows: The rim 5 of the same is constructed of a strip of sheet metal, and stitched on the opposite sides of said rim 5 are strips of leather 6 6, the stitching being indicated by the numeral7. Passing from one side of the sheet-metal rim 5 to the opposite side are two connecting-pieces 8, the said connecting-pieces being T-shaped at each end and provided with the perforations 9, as illustrated in Fig. 4. Itmay be noted in this connection that the sheet-metal rim 5 is provided with perforations 10. In the construction of the middle or lid section I use two connecting-strips, as illustrated in Fig. 4. These connecting-strips are interposed between the sections of the diaphragm or wall 4, which is preferably composed of layers of canvas or other suitable'material. Secured to the ends of the connecting-pieces 8 is the handle 11. The handle 11 is of the ordinary construction and is secured to the lid-section by means of cleats 12. The cleats 12 are held to the lidsection by means of rivets 18, which pass through the cleats, the layers of leather 6 '6, and the rim 5, and are riveted to the perforated end portions 9 of the connecting-pieces 8. It will be seen in this connection that the weight of the handle 11 is directly imparted to the connecting-pieces 8, and as said connecting-pieces 8 are riveted to the rim 5 and the body-sections l 1 are hinged to the lid-section 3 the entire weight of the suit-case is supported by the connecting-pieces 8.

The lid or middle section 3 being constructed as heretofore described makes avery light but strong structure.

By referring to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the inwardly-projecting edges 2 of the body-sections 1 1 are adapted to shut on the inside of the leather strips 6 6 of the middle or lid section 3, the outside surfaces of the strips 6 6 being almost in alinement with the outside surfaces of thebody-sections 1 1. The body sections or compartments 1 1 are hinged to the middle section 3 by means of hinges 14, one leaf of said hinges 14 being riveted to the metal rim 5 and the other leaves being riveted to the body-sections of the case.

When the case is closed, as illustrated in Fig. 2, it will be seen that the body-sections 1 1 are not only supported by the hinges 14, but are also supported by the rim 5 and the leather strips 6 6. Each of the body-sections 1 1 is provided with a spring-lock, and the lid or middle section 3 is provided with oppositelydisposed hasps, which are adapted to be engaged in said locks, the hasps of the lid and the locks of the body sections or compartments 1 1 being of the usual construction.

By this means the middle or lid section may be locked to either one of the body-sections independently of the other, or both body-sections may be locked to the lid-section.

From the foregoing description it will be seen thatI have constructed a suit-case comprising in a unitary structure the capacity, conveniences, and advantages of two suit-cases, which is not bulky, but light, durable, neat, and attractive in appearance. Such a suit-case is very convenient for travelers in that valuables may be contained in one body-compartment and the lid locked thereto, and less valuable articles or those which the traveler may desire to use frequently may be contained in the other unlocked compartment.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim is- 1. A suit-case, comprising two body-sections provided with inwardly projecting edges, an intermediate lid-section provided with flanges into which said edges are adapted to be shut for converting the case into two separate and distinct compartments, and means carried by the body-sections and lid-section for securing the same together, substantially as specified.

2. In a suit-case, a lid-section comprising a steel rim and metal connecting-pieces 8 passing from one side of said rim to the other for supporting the handle, substantially as specified.

3. In a suit-case, a lid-section adapted to receive oppositely-disposed body-sections, said lid-section comprising a solid rim, and connecting-strips secured to said rim for supporting the handle and consequently the grip, substantially as specified.

4:. In a suit-case, a lid-section comprising a solid rim, connecting-strips secured to each side of said rim, and a handle secured to said lid-section, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

JOHN D. WOOD.

Witnesses:

ALFRED A. EIcKs, M. G. IRION. 

